I believe "anecdotal argument" is a common term nowadays. Yeah it means taking some anecdotal incidents and saying "therefore" and drawing a conclusion. A google search indicates wide usage. _____ From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Simon Ward Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 3:57 PM To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Ideology vs Experience Sliding out of it again Lawrence? Wouldn't expect anything else, but then I suppose I did give you the opportunity. More fool me. Sorry, but I'm not playing hypotheticals and also reject you're accusation of wishful thinking. Do you really think I'd be pleased to note that the Iraq War has served to turn so many moderates into fundamentalists. I can imagine how that might please you, but not me I assure you. Simon -----Original Message----- From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Robert Paul Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 6:50 PM To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Ideology vs Experience Lawrence wrote: > An anecdotal argument is essentially an inductive argument with an > inadequate sampling. That is one way to look at it but usually 'anecdotal evidence' (I've never heard of an anecdotal argument) is evidence based on things heard or read that lie outside evidence based on confirmed studies or direct observation. It is the uncertain origins of alleged 'evidence' that make it anecdotal not the number of instances of it. Robert Paul ------------------------------------------------------------------ To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html